BHUBANESWAR: There is growing discontent among contractual doctors over the way in which they were appointed by the State Government. The doctors allege that the Health and Family Welfare Department made the appointments without counseling the candidates and without due consideration of their merit. They have thus threatened to abdicate their posts if the issues are not resolved soon. The doctors have met senior health officials and expressed their resentment over the irrational selection of place of posting, regardless of their rank and merit.

The State Government recently appointed 1,560 doctors. Of these, 938 are on a permanent basis and the rest are on a contractual basis. A contractual doctor from Sundargarh, posted in Koraput, said that the guideline saying that the appointments should be made after counseling the selected candidates has been overlooked and the merit of candidates has also not been considered.

The medical graduates were shortlisted for both permanent and contractual appointment on vacant posts following a test conducted by Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).

Those who cleared the test and had served as ad hoc or contractual doctors were given permanent appointment and the rest were given contractual posting in Government healthcare facilities across the state. A doctor said that it appears that the department has taken the decision hurriedly, keeping the elections in mind, and posted them at random locations. He added that they were expecting permanent appointment but were given contractual posts, which is unfair.

The doctors warned against joining the services if issues relating to their postings and nature of job are not resolved soon. Health authorities have; however, countered the claims. Special Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr BK Brahma, said that the appointments were made by a committee set up by the Government as per OPSC recommendations.

He mentioned that counseling of candidates is optional. The doctors have been appointed based on the vacancies. He added that ranks and merit have nothing to do with the place of posting and that the decision of the committee is final. (The New Indian Express)